when arriving early (and not doing parks) do you hang around resort or go explore?

[newholidayx2]

Thinking after we checkin (or at least get our keys) it may be best to wander around the other MK resorts and have lunch. Closer to checkin time we'd come back, get settled and hang out at the pool for the afternoon/night.

What about you? If you arrive early, dont go to a park, do you hang around the resort? or explore other resorts?

 

[Rootskate]

We wont be going to the parks our first day either. We were planning on exploring our resort and checking out the pool. Since we are staying at POR, we will probably take the boat over to Downtown Disney at some point that day.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

We always just hung around our own resort, but thanks for the good idea! What kind of things can you do at the other resorts (because I know you can't use everybody's pools).

 

[penni4963]

We are to not planning on going to the parks when we arrive. I was thinking about going down town disney and do some shopping, pool time, homework time, eating supper at the hotel then to bed for our first day at a park we choice.

 

[newholidayx2]

I was thinking of taking the boat to Contemp from WL, lunch at Concourse Steakhouse, using the pool (DVC), arcade, riding both monorail loops, maybe the boat from TTC to MK & back
then after we checkin to the WL, using that pool
maybe walk to FW after quick dinner at Roaring Forks
watch the MK fireworks & see the electric water parade

 

[nluvwithmickey]

I was kind of hesitsting on this subject. Our plane arrives at MCO at 10:45 Wed. July 27th, and This is quite early to us, so we were thinking about maybe enjoying the resort during the afternoon and gooing to EMH at MK for the evening..... Except we would be totally exhausted by the next day.....


So we decided on using that park day on our LAST day at WDW instead. Our departing flight only leaves at 5:50 pm so we will be going to Mk on that day instead.

So here's our plan so far, check-in at ASMu,,enjoy the pool, maybe a short nap, then head over to GF for dinner at 1900 Park Fare....afterwards do some shopping at DTD and let DH rent a water mouse at Cap. Jucks Marina while we go spend $$$$$.

 

[sweetinmaine]

Because we stay at POR, we take the boat to DTD. Other times we've just walked around the resort in disbelief of how beautiful it is especially after having left a cold, snowy VT that morning!

 

[ducklite]

We don't feel the compulsive need to plan every minute of our trip down to the second, so we do whatever we feel like doing at the time.

Anne

 

[newholidayx2]

Im just wondering if we should book a lunch PS at WL or elsewhere so do need to do some planning.
We can decide after lunch to stay/return to WL or not

 

[*Fantasia*]

We usually hit the parks upon arrival after we check in. But if our stay at Disney is at least 5 or 6 nights, then I know we have time to lounge around on the day of the arrival.

 

[susy]

Are you staying at the WL??? What time are you arriving? There is so much to do there....I would definitely make a lunch PS at WC. Pack an extra bag with your swimsuits , sunscreen, sandals, cover ups, and enjoy the pools. You can rent a surrey bike and head over to FW-about a ten minute ride. when you get there , there is a free pettign zoo and pony rides for about $3. They also have the lodge tours and maybe activities for the kids during the day at the cub's den. Also, don't forget about renting watercraft!!! There is an arcade there as well. I think you will be fine. I would request an early check-in on your reservation.

 

[WDWLVR]

We don't feel the compulsive need to plan every minute of our trip down to the second, so we do whatever we feel like doing at the time.

Anne

Totally agree! We just go with what we feel like. Planning is great for the big picture but planning every minute of every day will only lead to frustration IMHO.

I can't see not doing the parks the first day (since that is one of our main reasons for going to WDW) unless it is very very late.

Other first day activities for us are grocery shopping (I love DVC to be able to have breakfast and snacks in the room) and getting settled in.

We've also done things like a nice sit-down lunch while waiting for our room to be ready. Did this at Kona Cafe back in '03 when we were staying at the Contemporary and it worked out great!

 

[ducklite]

Im just wondering if we should book a lunch PS at WL or elsewhere so do need to do some planning.
We can decide after lunch to stay/return to WL or not

You don't need a PS for lunch in a resort restaurant, they are never that busy unless you are going at peak season or have a group of 30, which you're not.

Anne

 

[DisneyJen0504]

We have been lucky enough to have our room ready when we check in, even when early morning so we head off to the parks. But, if we had time to kill waiting for the room, we would hang out and explore the resort, maybe take a swim.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We never go to the parks the first day either. We check out the pool area then change into swim togs and head over to DTD, let the wife do alittle shopping and have luch at Capt. Jacks. Usually if we don't have a grocery stop from the train station, we walk to Goodings and purchase our "supplies", beer, wine pop and snacks. Back to the resort and if the room is not ready we head to the pool. Our evening deal always consists of pizza and pitchers of beer, usually around 8:30pm, I don't think they make pizza at Crocketts Tavern in Fort Wilderness before that, and down to FW beach for the EWP. Back to the resort for our late night swim and just being happy at being in WDW again!! Starts off our week!

 

[KevinFSU]

We usually go and eat dinner at one of the other resorts.

 

[Minerva]

Thinking after we checkin (or at least get our keys) it may be best to wander around the other MK resorts and have lunch. Closer to checkin time we'd come back, get settled and hang out at the pool for the afternoon/night.

What about you? If you arrive early, dont go to a park, do you hang around the resort? or explore other resorts?

We'll do lunch at our resort then get some swimming in if it's nice then do a tour of the monorail resorts to get some monorail riding out of the kids system. If it's not swimming weather we'll spend some extra time in the monorail resorts looking for hidden Mickeys.